Super Glue vs Epoxy
In many household situations, items might break, and adhesives are needed to join the broken pieces together. Two types of adhesives commonly used for repairs are super glue and epoxy glue. Although some people use them interchangeably, they are actually different and serve specific purposes. This article will discuss the features of these two types of adhesives to understand their differences.
Epoxy glue comes in two parts: a resin and a hardener. Users must mix these components before application. The hardener determines the amount of time the adhesive has to set before it must be applied. This time varies depending on the hardener’s chemical composition. In contrast, super glue can be used directly from the tube, with no mixing required. However, super glue sets quickly, so it must be applied to broken parts promptly before hardening.
Although both epoxy glue and super glue have strong adhesive properties, super glue has lower shear strength. Epoxy, on the other hand, has greater strength and can bond broken parts more effectively. Epoxy is used as a coating for metals and insulation for electronic components, while super glue is used to join small parts and in furniture-making.
Once hardened, both epoxy and super glue can be difficult to remove. Super glue can be removed using acetone (nail polish) or GBL, while epoxy often leaves surfaces damaged when removed after hardening. Acetone and vinegar can help in removing epoxy.
Other notable differences include:
– Super glue is thin and requires tight-fitting surfaces to work, while epoxy is thicker and can fill larger voids.
– Super glues are colorless, while epoxies are colored, which helps users keep track of the broken part.
– Super glue hardens more quickly than epoxy. While epoxy takes a few hours to set up, super glue hardens in just a few minutes.
– If a mistake is made during application, super glue is more difficult to fix due to its quick drying time. On the other hand, epoxy can be removed and reapplied more easily.
Key Takeaways
- Epoxy glue consists of a resin and hardener that must be mixed before use, while super glue can be applied directly from the tube.
- Super glue has lower shear strength than epoxy, which has greater bonding strength and is used in a wider range of applications.
- Super glue hardens more quickly than epoxy, making it more challenging to correct mistakes during application.
